In a completely unexpected move, former Maryland governor Larry Hogan on Friday announced that he will officially enter the United States Senate race for Maryland, putting cold water on the rumors that he was going to launch a third-party bid for the Presidency. 

“We desperately need leaders willing to stand up to both parties — leaders that appreciate that no one of us has all the answers or all the power, because this is not just about the differences between the right and the left. This is about the difference between right and wrong,” Hogan said in an ad launching his Senate bid posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

I am running for the United States Senate – not to serve one party – but to stand up to both parties, fight for Maryland, and fix our nation's broken politics. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I'll serve Maryland in the Senate. Let’s get back to work. pic.twitter.com/d0TuZchAtN

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 9, 2024

Hogan, who is planning to officially file the paperwork needed to run for office before the Friday deadline, gave the Republican Party an unexpected boost to their efforts in the Senate map for the 2024 election. While the Cook Political Report currently rates the seat as "solid Democrat," Hogan's entrance is sure to change that analysis.

According to sources who spoke to The Hill, Hogan made his decision after intensive lobbying and conversations between the National Republican Senatorial Committee and its Chair Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), along with Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) over the past several months. 

Hogan will be termed out of office at the end of his current term and will leave the office with an incredibly high approval rating of 77%, and is only one of two Republicans ever re-elected in the state's history. 

The seat that Hogan is vying for is currently occupied by Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who is leaving the Senate when his term expires. Hogan does not appear to have any Republican opposition as of yet and will be running against two Democrats vying for the seat. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) are both well-liked by the Democrat party, which believes they have confidence that either candidate can beat out Hogan.